Red Bull and Verstappen reign supreme after Mercedes’ Austrian nightmare

Max Verstappen won what could be considered the most dramatic race in 2018 so far as both Mercedes' retired with issues. Kimi Raikkonen finished second ahead of the new championship leader in Sebastian Vettel.

Hamilton led the way after an action-packed opening few laps, a fast-starting Kimi Raikkonen forced his way between both Mercedes cars and forced Valtteri Bottas wide which left the inside free for number 44.

Bottas, Raikkonen and Verstappen were left scrapping for second, third and fourth which the Mercedes driver ultimately stole back with a brave move around the outside of turn four and Max Verstappen relieved Raikkonen of third just two corners later, a light bit of contact between the two but both continued without any issues.

Both McLaren’s made early stops to compound their miserable weekend as Stoffel Vandoorne broke yet another front wing, early running in 19th and 20th wasn’t what a team under pressure needed. Nico Hulkenberg’s race ended in spectacular fashion after his Renault engine expired on the front straight, smoke and fire pouring out the back of the Renault.

If he didn’t have bad luck he would have no luck at all, Bottas’ race finished on lap 14 after the Mercedes lost hydraulic pressure. The incident brought out the virtual safety car which led to both Red Bull and Ferrari to double stack their drivers whilst Mercedes kept Hamilton out on track.

James Vowles apologised to Hamilton over team radio for the strategy blunder: “Lewis it’s James. We can still win this mate. It’s my mistake, give this what you can”

He was tasked with finding 8 seconds on the chasing pack but that was too much even for the might of the new Mercedes engine and the team opted to pit Hamilton and ensure he came out in front of championship rival Vettel.

Hamilton then struggled to keep pace with those who pitted earlier, Raikkonen was able to find a way past Ricciardo after the Red Bull developed horrible blistering on the right rear tyre, forcing the Australian into the pits for supersofts.

Sebastian Vettel produced the move of the race to take third from Hamilton, a move similar to Rosberg/Hamilton in 2016, the German left the Mercedes out to dry on the outside of turn three to prevent him having any chance of fighting back.

Hamilton closed back up on Vettel soon after, but his tyres were blistering badly, and he pitted for supersofts soon after.

Red Bull had been having it almost all their own way until Birthday boy Ricciardo’s gearbox gave up the ghost and forced the Australian into retirement. Verstappen then found his gap shrinking to both Ferrari’s, the Dutchman’s tyres not looking in the best of shape heading into the final stages of the race.

Mercedes’ nightmare was complete as Lewis Hamilton was forced to pull off with a loss of power with just under 10 laps to go. The championship lead back in the hands of Sebastian Vettel by a single point.

Verstappen managed the race brilliantly all day and took a well-deserved victory in front of a sea of Dutch fans from Raikkonen and Vettel. Grosjean took P4 for Haas after a brilliantly driven race and both Sauber's scored points.